Bathroom reno planning: 6 crucial considerations

Renovating your bathroom can be both exciting and stressful, depending on how you go about it!

Effective planning can help to ensure a stress-free bathroom renovation. However, it can be difficult to know where to begin and what to consider.

To help you out, take a look at our six crucial considerations when planning your bathroom design, features and layout.

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1. What size do you have available?

First things first, what is the size that you have to work with? This space will, to an extent, dictate what sort of bathroom you can have. If your bathroom space is small like an ensuite, or a cupboard turned bathroom conversion, you’ll be looking at more of a powder room style layout with possibly just a toilet and basin. If you have more space, you might look at including a shower but perhaps a bathtub won’t fit. Take a look at your space and assess your needs before making any firm decisions. This takes us to our next consideration point.

2. Who will use the space?

Thinking about the bathroom’s users is essential to your layout planning. If you have young children, chances are you will want to include a bathtub. If your available space is smaller, consider installing a half-tub where you can still easily bathe your children.

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If your bathroom will be used by older relatives and guests, a shower over the bathtub style or even a step-up shower might not be appropriate, and instead, a walk-in shower would be best. It’s also important to think about installing rails in the shower and even a fold-down seat or bench. Bench seats don’t have to be just for the older generations, they’re also incredibly useful (and safe) when you’re in the shower shaving your legs!

3. What amenities do you want/need?

One of the biggest things that’ll affect your bathroom layout is your amenities. As mentioned above, you need to consider who’ll be using your space and the size that you have to work with. Once you have these down, you can outline which amenities you really need and which you would like to have if space permits. For a powder room, a toilet and vanity will usually suffice, just make sure there is ample storage space for things like spare toilet rolls! If you’re planning to install an ensuite or a full bathroom, consider your need for a bathtub and a shower, and the style of each of these that you’d prefer.

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4. How long will you be in the home for?

The longevity of the planned bathroom’s use will dictate your desired layout and amenities. If you’re renovating your bathroom to get your home ready for sale, you’ll be thinking less about your immediate needs and more about the needs of your ideal purchaser. It’s also good to consider what similar homes for sale in your area feature: do they have an ensuite off the master bedroom? Is there a second guest bathroom? Do all bathrooms have baths and showers? These points will help you make sure your bathroom and home are competitive and as appealing as possible to future buyers. If this is your forever home, chances are you won’t want to update your bathroom too often, so include features that’ll last you and your family for many years to come.

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5. Where is your plumbing located?

Traditionally, the location of your plumbing dictated the location of your bathroom. However, Saniflo offer an innovative plumbing solution to help you achieve your new bathroom, anywhere in your home! Saniflo’s macerating pumps can pump waste up to 100m back to the sewerage mains, opening up the possibilities for where your new bathroom can be located.

6. What’s your budget and timeframe?

Your budget and timeframe will understandably determine what is possible in your new bathroom renovation. As with all renovations, make sure you’re sticking to a budget, being realistic and ensuring that you get exactly what you want, comfortably within your means.

For more tips on getting your bathroom reno right take a look at these easy ways to save on a bathroom revamp and common bathroom renovation mistakes.